“It’s oddly joyous – it’s a celebration of the character,” he told The Huffington Post UK and other reporters. “We didn’t want to do a story where he just absconded from a care home and was discovered dead from hypothermia or something, it would be too bleak.

“It’s super warm and funny and almost festive and boisterous. It’s just beautiful and I couldn’t be more proud of the script, which is in very capable hands with our cast and crew.”

‘Emmerdale’ airs at 7pm on Thursday 30 March. Catch up on all the latest soap news and spoilers here.